News of the Day ... in Perspective

In his State of the Union message, President Bush said that “starting this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses in a health savings account.”

He said that he would veto “any attempt to limit the choices of our seniors, or to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare.” federalist.com/news/04sotu.asp

Senator Kennedy (D-MA) looked glum when the President started talking about how people would be able to make their own choices and about how “government-run medicine is the wrong prescription.” He has introduced a bill called the Health Security and Affordability Act, which force employers to offer health insurance, just as they have for decades been forced to “contribute” to Social Security. Employers would be required to pay up to 12% of payroll.